Interior rugs are a fabulous way to add comfort and style to your home. Rugs look great layered on carpet, wooden floors or LVT, and are available in many different varieties, sizes and colours.
Rugs are low-commitment furnishings that are easy to move around your house, and they are also highly effective in anchoring furniture in a specific space.
As your local Harrogate rug experts, here we offer a selection of simple dos and don’ts when it comes to interior rug placement…
Do place rugs under furniture
When it comes to placement of your rug, positioning it underneath furniture is a big DO!
In your lounge, for instance, your sofas, armchairs, cabinets and lamps can all be layered on top of your rugs. Not only will this protect your flooring from the heavy objects on top, but it will also create a cosy and inviting space in which to relax. Ensure that all the legs are on the rug to make sure it’s safe and balanced.
In a kitchen or dining area, the rug should be large enough for the dining table as well as all the chairs, so check the size and make sure you select one that is large enough. A good rule to use should be that the chairs should still be on the rug, even when they're pulled out from beneath the table.
Don’t skimp on size
One of the biggest mistakes people make when buying new rugs is selecting ones that are too small for the space. Obviously, smaller rugs are generally much cheaper and easier to move around, which makes them initially more attractive. But, going bigger now will save you from replacing one that doesn't work later!
For example, in your bedroom, your rug should extend beyond your bed. You want to ensure that in the mornings you are stepping out onto a lovely soft rug instead of a cold, hard floor! Ideally, your bedroom rug should be large enough to extend beyond the sides of the bed at least 30cm for a twin or double bed, and at least 40cm for a queen or king.
The investment of a large rug might seem expensive, but the effect will be worth it, and also the cost is still generally going to be lower than the cost to carpet the whole room.
Do experiment with colours and patterns
Rugs are a great way to inject personality and fun into a room. So, embrace colour, patterns and textures when choosing yours.
Remember that rugs are also easy to move around from room to room in your house, so after a while you can switch things around to get a new effect somewhere else.
Rugs with bold patterns and images can be a lot of fun in a large, open plan space, but make sure that when you place furniture on them, the designs aren’t totally covered up otherwise you will lose the effect. Take furniture placement into account before you buy your rug.
Don’t float your rug in space
You can have the prettiest rug in the world. But, if it isn’t positioned right, it can throw the whole room out of balance. There needs to be a good connection between your rug and the walls and furniture around it, and spacing is really key here.
A rug placed right in the middle of a room will partition the space and will draw the eye to the spaces around it, rather than on it. Thus, making the rug appear like it is floating in oblivion! Make sure you think about the connection the rug will have to nearby objects and that equal space can be found at each side.
Do know how to care for your rug
Maintenance tips for individual rugs will vary, so be sure to check the cleaning instructions before making a purchase. However, generally there are some universal tips when it comes to keeping your rug in pristine condition.
Generally speaking, rugs should be vacuumed regularly (at least once per week) to remove dust, hair and allergens. And, then should be cleaned properly around once every year. This might be more often for rugs in high footfall areas. Smaller rugs should be taken outside periodically to be shaken out, and then vacuumed once back inside.
Stains should be acted on fast. They should always be blotted first with a white cloth – not rubbed as this may make the stain larger in volume. Diluting the stain with water will also help initially, as well as dabbing on a bit of baking soda paste (depending on the stain type and fabric type).
Steam cleaning is a great way to clean your rug thoroughly and should get out most general grubby marks and stains from the surface. Just make sure that you allow the rug to completely dry after steaming before you lift any furniture back onto it.
Although naturally very hard-wearing, rugs made of natural fibres, like jute and sisal can’t really be cleaned, so large spills could result in permanent damage.
If you are considering a new rug, then pop into our shop on Commercial Street Harrogate to view our range and pick up some advice from our experts